Rye is an annual grass, with a height varying from 3-8 feet, depending upon variety (4, 6, 9) with large awned spikes (2-19 cm) that consist of many 2-flowered spikelets (4, 7, 9). The color of the grain may range from light brown to dark gray (4, 6), and is relatively large, usually .3-.5 inch long (4, 9).